In an ex vivo study, cell-penetrating VDAC1-based peptides were found to induce apoptotic cell death in the cancerous B-cells of peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients, yet spared those obtained from healthy donors, pointing to the potential of VDAC1-based peptides as an innovative and effective anti-CLL therapy. The gene discussed is VDAC1; the disease is B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.